Loughnane hoping to land inaugural World Pool Jockeys’ Championship

World Pool

24/07/2024

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  Billy Loughnane is top of the World Pool Jockeys’ Championship after two winners at Royal Ascot (Credit: Focus on Racing)

Wednesday 24 July 2024 – Billy Loughnane admits the possibility of netting a £50,000 windfall for a charity close to his heart has given him extra motivation to lift the inaugural UK & Ireland World Pool Jockeys’ Championship. 

The 18-year-old is in pole position to pick up the five-figure sum, which has been put up by World Pool for this year’s championship winner to donate to a charity of their choice. 

Loughnane tops the table on 149.55 points following victories at Royal Ascot aboard Rashabar, who registered a record World Pool win dividend of 129.90 in the Coventry Stakes, and Soprano, who gave him 19.65 points, after winning the Sandringham Stakes. 

Points for the series, which started on 4 May on 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket and runs until British Champions Day at Ascot on 19 October, are awarded to riders based on the win dividend returns of their individual winners in World Pool races. 

And should Loughnane, who is currently 77.3 points clear of nearest pursuer Oisin Murphy, top the standings at the conclusion of the championship, he will be donating the cash to the Christy Lambe Foundation, which is a Birmingham-based charity set up by friends of his family. 

Loughnane said: “This is a great initiative put up by World Pool. After making such a strong start in the competition I hope I can keep it going for the rest of the season in the remaining World Pool races and win the £50,000 put up for charity.

“There are so many worthy causes out there but I will be donating the money, if I finish top, to the Christy Lambe Foundation. 

“This is a charity that is very close to my heart, and Christy’s dad, Michael, is my sponsor, through his company Lambe Construction. 

“The charity has not been running long and it would mean a huge deal to them if I could win this money. 

“Not only would it be fantastic to win such a big amount of money for the charity, but it would be great to repay the support the family has shown to me.”

Last season’s champion apprentice has been in flying form this season after booting home more than 80 winners since the start of the year. 

However, he admits his two World Pool victories at the Royal meeting were of extra special significance.  

He added: “Winning the Coventry Stakes on Rashabar at Royal Ascot was one of the greatest moments of my career and it is certainly a day I will never forget. 

“To then ride Soprano to victory in the Sandringham for George Boughey, who has been a big help to me this season, made it a dream Royal Ascot.”

Current Top Five in World Pool Jockeys’ Championship

Upcoming World Pool events in the next two months: 

July
Saturday 27: King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day – Ascot Racecourse (F)
Sunday 28: Champions Cup Day – Greyville Racecourse (F)
Sunday 28: Grosser Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen Day – Munich Racecourse (P)
Tuesday 30: Goodwood Cup Day – Goodwood Racecourse (F)
Wednesday 31: Sussex Stakes Day – Goodwood Racecourse (F)

August

Thursday 1: Nassau Stakes Day – Goodwood Racecourse (F)
Sunday 4: Preis der Diana – German Oaks Day – Düsseldorf Racecourse (P)
Sunday 11: Grosser Preis von Berlin Day – Hoppegarten Racecourse (P)
Wednesday 21: International Stakes Day – York Racecourse (F)
Thursday 22: Yorkshire Oaks Day – York Racecourse (F)
Friday 23: Nunthorpe Stakes Day – York Racecourse (F)

   *F: Full meeting - World Pool coverage on all races in the relevant meeting
     P: Part meeting - World Pool coverage only on selected races in the relevant meeting
     S: Single race - World Pool coverage only on this race in the relevant meeting

For more information about World Pool visit https://worldpool.hkjc.com/ and follow @WorldPool on X for all the latest news.